11-19-2002, 06:52 PM
I have a few questions concerning Arminius' arrival back in Germania and I'd appreciate your help...<br>
<br>
1) When Arminius returned home to Germania, I understood that he was in his mid-twenties. I was under the assumption that Roman military service was for at least 25 years. Was it different for foederate troops? Or for the "hostage-princes" taken by the Romans? Why did he return home at such a young age?<br>
<br>
2) I also understood that Foederate commanders lead their own "national" troops. When Arminius was "conscripted" did 200 other Cherusci warriors enlist at the same time? If not, how was he promoted in the face of another, presumably Germanic, commander?<br>
<br>
3) When Arminius returned to Germania, did the remainder of his equestrian force return with him? A man at the head of such an armed and experienced force would seem to be a formidable political force among the Cherusci.<br>
<br>
4) When he returned home, how was Arminius able to exert such political dominance over his tribe so quickly (including directing the apparantly suicidal attack on three Roman legions) despite the existance of the long-standing tribal dominance of his father and father-in-law?<br>
<br>
Thanks <p></p><i></i>
<br>
1) When Arminius returned home to Germania, I understood that he was in his mid-twenties. I was under the assumption that Roman military service was for at least 25 years. Was it different for foederate troops? Or for the "hostage-princes" taken by the Romans? Why did he return home at such a young age?<br>
<br>
2) I also understood that Foederate commanders lead their own "national" troops. When Arminius was "conscripted" did 200 other Cherusci warriors enlist at the same time? If not, how was he promoted in the face of another, presumably Germanic, commander?<br>
<br>
3) When Arminius returned to Germania, did the remainder of his equestrian force return with him? A man at the head of such an armed and experienced force would seem to be a formidable political force among the Cherusci.<br>
<br>
4) When he returned home, how was Arminius able to exert such political dominance over his tribe so quickly (including directing the apparantly suicidal attack on three Roman legions) despite the existance of the long-standing tribal dominance of his father and father-in-law?<br>
<br>
Thanks <p></p><i></i>